Restraint of trade

[Purchaser]

I recently was turned down for unemployment benefits. I resigned from my job voluntarily. Here's why:

I was responsible for obtaining and negotiating outbound freight for a small family owned manufacturing company. One freight broker, in particular, who had done business with the company for years, and was somewhat friendly with the owner, complained that he was losing business to competition.

I was then directed to make sure I gave him competitor's pricing in order for him to be the "preferred broker" and win more business back. This is unethical and possibly, illegal and I believe this practice directly violates The Sherman Antitrust Act & The Clayton Act, which both deal with restraint of trade & creating monopolies.

Does anyone agree that this practice directly violate these federal laws?
Thanks in advance,
Purchaser

Cannot they all know how each bids and then decide if they want to lower it?

Is there some system of rules that all are party to? or have agreed?

I am not sure I see that as illegal??

What did unemployment say?

[Purchaser]

Thanks for your reply.

The thing is...I was directed to allow only this one broker to see the competitor's bids...not let the competitor see this broker's bids. It would allow him to see theirs, but not vice versa.

Unemployment denied me benefits due to the fact that they do not see just cause in my resignation.

Before I appeal, I want to make sure I have some sort of case. I've worked in Purchasing for 22 years and its Purchasing 101 knowing not to give out competitor's pricing amongst suppliers. While it's done...it's unethical, and lessens a competitive market.